IPL 2026: MS Dhoni to undergo fitness test ahead of CSK vs DC clash

With three successive defeats in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the Chennai Super Kings have found themselves at the bottom of the points table. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team can’t hold its nerve in the bowling department for two successive fixtures. 

Having been in that position, Chennai is likely to receive a major boost with their injured former captain, MS Dhoni, and the middle-order batter, Dewald Brevis, nearing their full fitness ahead of their next encounter against Delhi Capitals on Saturday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

MS Dhoni’s fitness test boosts CSK ahead of clash vs DC

The reports have claimed that Dhoni, who led the franchise to five IPL titles, is likely to have a fitness test in the next couple of days, and if he passes it, he will take the field against Delhi at Chepauk. He injured his knee during the preparatory camp and hasn’t featured so far in the league.

The 44-year-old hasn’t been travelling with the team to away fixtures and was not present at Chepauk for the home fixture against Punjab last Friday. While he has regularly been attending the training sessions with the team, due to the protocols, he hasn’t travelled with the team on match days.

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Dhoni didn’t only train before the Punjab game but also had an extensive batting session in the MAC B ground. On the eve, he batted on the practice surfaces of the main ground without any issue. However, the franchise has shown no signs of rushing him back and has instead decided to give him enough time for full recovery.

Dewald Brevis likely to play for CSK against DC

In the same process, there is good news regarding Dewald Brevis, as the middle-order batter, who was a massive positive for them, missed the first three games of IPL 2026 with a side strain. He travelled to Guwahati and even to Bengaluru for the two games.

Their head coach, Stephen Fleming, sounded quite confident about the next five days, helping him to get back in his prime recovery. He mentioned the same during the clash against RCB.

“We hope he is going to be right for the next game. We have five days between the next game. We have been conservative, and hopefully, these next five days will go as well as we have planned, and he is ready to go. It’s a big loss, but we are looking forward to getting him back.” Fleming said after the defeat.